Council approves resolution to authorize documents for Strawberry water conversion access

San Joaquin City Council on Tuesday adopted Resolution 09032025 authorizing the execution of documents to convert Strawberry Project water from agricultural use for miscellaneous purposes, opening a pathway for the city to receive Strawberry water through regional agreements. City staff member Norm described the measure as a long-term opportunity created by four to five years of interagency work; he said the conversion arrangement will allow Strawberry water to be delivered into the city “through a mechanism that quite frankly hasn't existed before this point.” Chris Thompson, a representative from engineering firm Hansen, Allen & Luce who attended the meeting, was introduced by staff as available to answer technical questions. Councilmembers asked how potable supply would be delivered; a councilmember asked whether a new treatment plant would be needed and who would build it. Councilmember Art asked that question and received the reply that Central Utah (Central Utah Water Conservancy District) is planning long-range treatment capacity and that environmental work for a treatment plant near Salem is already under way. Norm also described the city’s current water-rights position, saying the municipality “believe[s] that we have about 94% of the water rights that we need for a theoretical build out at a medium ish density” and that the city’s biggest need is outdoor irrigation. He said Strawberry water would provide options and redundancy for irrigation and possible drinking water in the long term. Council moved and seconded the resolution; Councilmembers Travis, Lynn, Jeff and Art voted “Aye.” The resolution passed. Why it matters: Converting Strawberry Project water for municipal uses can provide an alternate supply of high-quality water, offer redundancy if local wells or springs fail, and give the city additional flexibility for future development and developer-required water dedication transfers. Staff emphasized that the conversion arrangement does not immediately bring treated drinking water; a regional treatment plant and pipeline likely lie many years in the future.